(a) There is created a body corporate and politic to be known as the North Georgia Mountains Authority, which shall be deemed an instrumentality of the State of Georgia and a public corporation, and by that name, style, and title such body may contract and be contracted with, sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, and complain and defend in all courts.

(b) The authority may delegate to one or more of its members, or to its agents and employees, such powers and duties as it may deem proper.

(c) The authority shall exist for 99 years.

(d) The authority is assigned to the Department of Natural Resources for administrative purposes only.